It’s the perfect holiday trip — a journey to Jerusalem. The couple had been planning to go for years and now it was finally happening. By far, it was looking to be one of their more exciting holiday seasons to date. However, the couple realized that they were about to leave the country without a clear estate plan in place. That’s when they had to make a decision. Do they visit an estate planning website or the local office store to buy a ready-made will? It’s simple enough — The ready-made, nicely packaged estate plan in a box might be all they needed; not to mention the affordability and simplicity of it.

55% of Americans die without a will or estate plan. Let that sink in. That means more than half the United States adult population hasn’t planned for their family’s future.Why? Some people say they haven’t had the time or that they have plenty of time to take care of it. But, in reality there’s no perfect time, age or reason to get your estate in order.

Did you know that women are the head of household for nearly 45% of American homes? Did you also know that the U.S. Census Bureau reported that of 13 million unmarried parents, 80% were women?

We're not sure about you but that seems like a lot of independent, phenomenal women running the show. Ranging in age, ethnicity, education, and income, these ladies all share at least one commonality. They make decisions for their families every day. What their children eat, what they wear, who they spend time with, where they attend school and who provides medical care.

Taking care of a loved one with a disability or special needs can be a daunting task. The responsibility of creating and maintaining a structured daily routine and careful financial planning takes time and close attention to detail. For the most part, it’s manageable and you feel in control of your loved one’s well-being because you’re there; you’re present.

Understanding government-sponsored programs can be confusing and complex. But, it is also critical to know how they affect you and your loved one’s long-term care needs. While they are separate programs, Medicare and Medicaid both work to provide healthcare coverage. Medicare is a federal program that was designed to assist in long-term care for the elderly, persons 65 and older. It also covers people with certain disabilities.

I have been asked many times “Why do I need a Will?” Many couples and individuals underestimate the importance of estate planning and the necessity of creating wills. They often think it isn't necessary either due to age, minimum assets, no kids or because they simply consider themselves immortal. Even if you currently feel indestructible like Luke Cage, Super Man or Wonder Woman, you should seriously begin planning for the future and create a will.

You’re in your prime. You’re healthy. You have more income. You’re having the time of your life. For possibly the first time since leaving the nest, you’re in complete control of all aspects of your professional and personal life. You just received a promotion, you can travel abroad with your family, you treat your parents to nice dinners and you can buy that amazing new trendy accessory. You‘re happy. You’re thriving. You’ve got it covered. BUT, have you considered all the ‘What If’s’?